The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal
In recognition of the gallantry services rendered by the World War II heroes, the Punjab Cabinet gave approval to increase financial assistance to the veterans, ex-servicemen, their widows from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,500 per month.
A decision to this effect was taken in the meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at the Chief Minister's Office here this evening.
A spokesperson said that at present, the state government provides financial assistance to ex-servicemen, their widows who were above 65 years of age and discharged from their services without any financial benefit/pension.
The annual income limit for availing such benefit has also been increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.
To mitigate the hardships and inconvenience faced by the people, the Cabinet approved upgrading sub-tehsils Dudhan Sadhan in Patiala, Bhawanigarh in Sangrur and Kalanaur in Gurdaspur district as new sub-divisions.
To bring far more efficiency in the functioning of the state administration, the Cabinet gave approval to add 750 new posts in elections, Advocate General, Social Security & Women and Child Development, Welfare and Social Security, Defence Services Welfare, Personnel and General Administration departments.
The Cabinet also accorded approval to the creation of 341 permanent posts in different categories in the State Elections Department to overcome the shortage of staff and ensure its smooth working, he said.
It gave approval for the creation of 37 posts for the newly created Goniana and Maloud blocks in Bathinda and Ludhiana districts, respectively.
Similarly, 230 posts of various cadres for establishment of Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS) Mission was granted.
Expenditure on the salaries of the staff recruited by the ICDS Mission shall be borne by the Centre and Punjab government in the ratio of 60:40.
The Cabinet also gave a nod for the conversion of 1,893 posts of various cadres in the Social Security and Women & Child Development department into permanent ones.